O scar-winning actor Tom Hanks honored James Lovell, the American astronaut he portrayed in “ Apollo 13 ,” with a heartfelt Instagram tribute to his courage, curiosity and fortitude. Lovell died Thursday in Lake Forest, Illinois. He was 97 years old.

Tom Hanks honored astronaut Jim Lovell, whom he portrayed in "Apollo 13," with a touching tribute celebrating the space pioneer’s bravery and extraordinary life.

Astronaut Jim Lovell, who guided the Apollo 13 mission safely back to Earth in 1970, has died aged 97. Nasa said he "turned a potential tragedy into a success" after an attempt to land on the Moon was aborted due to an explosion onboard the spacecraft while it was hundreds of thousands of miles from Earth.